SPANISH
Spanish in the Lower Sixth builds on the foundations laid at IGCSE. Familiar topics form the basis of the first parts of the language course, but a lot of new vocabulary is added. You should aim to begin the course with a firm knowledge of the major verb tenses and forms for both regular and irregular verbs. A working knowledge of the bulk of IGCSE vocabulary will also be assumed. As the language course progresses, more advanced structures are introduced, and these require a sound understanding of the more basic structures if they are to be effectively added to your linguistic armoury. By the end of the first term, you should find yourself beginning to cope successfully with understanding and communicating in genuinely advanced Spanish. By the end of the two-year course to A Level, our best students achieve near-native fluency in a wide variety of topics and situations. Work will be done mainly in Spanish. Your teachers will speak to you in Spanish for the great majority of the time and you will be expected to conduct yourself, even for the most routine issues, in Spanish. You will be expected to undertake a good deal of independent work as well as the work set.
A lot of the language work is based upon the reading of a variety of texts and listening to recorded authentic material, often from internet sources. All you do will improve your ability to communicate in speech and in writing, develop your ability to construct a convincing argument and use evidence appropriately, and as you do so, you will also gain confidence in defending your arguments against those of others. All these skills are needed when performing successfully at an advanced level. The department offers students the opportunity to travel to Salamanca during February half-term. The week-long trip involves staying with families (normally in pairs) and attending daily culture and language classes at a local language school (4 hours/day). Although this is not a compulsory trip, it is highly recommended as it helps greatly with fluency, comprehension skills, confidence and gives a real insight into Spanish life and culture.
AQA specification In A Level Spanish students will be encouraged to develop their linguistic knowledge and cultural understanding of the countries/ communities where Spanish is spoken. The Department of Education has specified two main areas of interest: social issues and trends and political, intellectual and artistic culture. At the end of the course, there are three examinations; Speaking; Listening; Reading and Translation and a Critical response in writing.
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The A Level course places greater emphasis on written style, tone and accuracy. Literary texts and Spanish films are studied in preparation for the final examination units. There will be a requirement to research an area of personal interest related to the country/communities where Spanish is spoken.
and by allowing for a good deal of independent research and choice at A Level. Our Spanish students are increasingly leaving us to study Spanish at university alongside subjects such as business and economics, law, management, history and English literature.
The course is stimulating, engaging and challenging. It allows students to progress and develop into linguists of the highest calibre by testing a wide range of skills
Head of Department: Mrs EM Ladislao - eml@kes.hants.sch.uk
